The Church of Christ the Redeemer was built with Panama’s hot and humid weather in mind. There are no walls on the building. Its tall round roof is supported by cement columns spread far apart so that a good amount of breeze can make its way down the church’s aisles.

One of the most important events in my life growing up was encountering Pope John Paul II at World Youth Day in Denver. I had already experienced profoundly the personal love of Jesus Christ for me as a young person through the witness of my family and retreat opportunities. I had even felt quite strongly the call to enter the seminary and pursue the priesthood. But on Aug. 14, 1993, something changed in me.

Before youth and young-adult themed synod, the Pope wishes to hear from youth around the world via a Vatican-produced survey sent to all dioceses. Survey results will be processed at the Vatican in time for the 2018 synod. Young people ages 18-30 can take the survey at archspm.org/youngadultvoices

On the eve of Palm Sunday, Pope Francis gave young people several missions: to ask their grandparents what their dreams were; to work to make those dreams reality; and to let their bishops and the pope himself know what they need from the church.

Aware of the risk of being called naive or being accused of spouting platitudes, Pope Francis called on young people to model for adults the paths of mercy and respect, and then demonstrated what he meant.

About 1,300 young adults gathered in the nation’s capital for prayer, catechesis, fellowship, and a taste of Polish culture, an event designed for those who could not attend World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland.